The Public Prosecutor in the case involving opposition Ensemble Pour la Republique President Moïse Katumbi’s special advisor Salomon Kalonda Della has requested for a second medical opinion to ascertain the health condition of the defendant following his failure to take stand in court.
Kalonda who had been in the authorities’ custody on trumped up charges since May, was earlier this month transferred to a hospital after taking ill and could not take stand in court when his trial came up.
The trial was postponed to Monday, 16 October 2023 but Kalonda was one again not cleared by doctors to leave hospital and taken standard in court with his health condition having deteriorated in the last few days.
Kalonda who has been referred to as President Fèlix Tshisekedi’s “personal prisoner” is now set to be taken through now medical tests at the request of the public prosecutor.
Peter Ngomo, one of Kalonda’s lawyers, revealed that the authorities have insisted on getting a second medical opinion, even after the defense counsel presented a valid medical report.
Seemingly thirsty for his blood and in a rush to have him jailed, Tshisekedi has directed authorities to ensure ailed Kalonda is trialed as soon as possible with the case now postponed to next Friday, 20 October 2023.
